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Patriots Tight End Aaron Hernandez Will Play Thursday Against the New York Jets

November 21st, 2012 at 9:53 AM By Spencer Frenchman

Aaron Hernandez has been ruled active for the Thanksgiving showdown with the New York Jets. He had been out with an ankle injury since Oct. 21 after aggravating a high ankle sprain sustained in week two against Arizona.

He was a late scratch from the lineup last week against the Colts, a move, which in retrospect makes perfect sense. The Patriots won handily 59-24 and holding Hernandez out until the Thanksgiving game allows him ten days rest following the game and prevented him from having to play two games in five days.

Hernandez creates matchup problems for opposing defenses. In limited playing time this season he has already lined up at a multitude of positions including tight end, split end, slot, and tailback. He has the speed and pass catching ability of a wide receiver but the size of a tight end.

Hernandez' return could not come at a more crucial moment for the Patriots who lost their other star tight end, Rob Gronkowski, to injury in the win against the Colts.

The Patriots will probably limit his snaps this week in order to avoid re-injuring the ankle. Expect Visanthe Shiancoe to also see a number of snaps this week. If Hernandez is near 100% expect his numbers to go up as Brady targets him more in wake of the Gronkowski injury.